What’s inside this week’s Footy Fix…?
Tim Ream says this Gold Cup was his most enjoyable one.
Rusty Aaronson on what he would change about youth soccer.
Orlando Pride set new transfer record for women’s soccer.
Tim Howard and Donovan think $3 million offer for Max Arfsten is a slap in the face.
Dax McCarty says former USMNT stars are critical because they care.
Let’s dive in!
“My Most Enjoyable Gold Cup”
Tim Ream on the 2025 Gold Cup
Tim Ream captained the USMNT in this summer’s Gold Cup and says it was his most enjoyable one. Why? Because the team bonded and set a standard that they were no longer pushovers against aggressive teams. He pointed to the Costa Rica game as an example.
Our take on the situation: Ream is not wrong here. The USMNT that played in the Gold Cup were far less talented from the main team but they showed the fight and grit and stood up for themselves. So when main players come back in next month, they need to show the same fight.
“There is Too Much Instruction and Kids Don’t Play Enough”
Rusty Aaronson on What He’d Change About Youth Soccer
Rusty Aaronson is a father of Brenden and Paxten Aaronson. He knows a lot about youth soccer in the U.S. and he believes things are too structured and there is too much instruction. He wants kids to get more touches on the ball and play freely.
Our take on the situation: He’s not wrong. There’s been a lot of talk about youth soccer turning kids into robots and killing the creative play. Coaches should be giving kids more freedom and also work on their touches.
A New Transfer Record in Women’s Soccer
Orlando Pride Sign Lizbeth Jacqueline Ovalle for $1.5 million
Lizbeth Jacqueline Ovalle has been a standout star for women’s soccer in Mexico. She also scored a golazo for Mexico against the USWNT last year. Now, she is coming to NWSL in a record breaking deal.
Our take on the situation: Women’s soccer keeps growing, so it’s no surprise that the prices keep growing as well. Just this year alone, the transfer record has been broken three times. It’s an exciting time for women’s soccer.
“If This was a Young French Kid, a Young French Left-back Who Just Cracked into the National Team, He Would be $20 million!”
Tim Howard and Landon Donovan Say $3 million Offer for Max Arfsten is a “Slap in the Face”
Earlier this month, Middlesbrough made a $3 million offer for Max Arfsten but they were swiftly rejected by Columbus Crew. Tim Howard and Landon Donovan agree with the Crew and think the offer was a slap in the face. They believe if this was a French left-back, he’d be wroth $20 million.
Our take on the situation: This is a ridiculous take from Howard and Donovan. You can’t compare the USMNT and France, they are on different levels. If a young left-back breaks into the French national team, he’d be world class and worth a lot more than $20 million. And let’s be honest. At 24, Arfsten isn’t young.
“They, First of All, are Set for Life. And Their Kids are Set for Life. This is Not a Monetary Thing for Them.”
Dax McCarty Says Former USMNT Stars Turned Pundits Really Care about the Team
Are Tim Howard and Landon Donovan just chasing checks? Dax McCarty doesn’t think so. He believes they, along with Clint Dempsey, have so much money so they don’t need to chase clicks and have hot takes to earn money. They just say their opinions because they care.
Our take on the situation: Howard and Donovan earned millions as players, but they retired about a decade ago. Money comes and goes quickly in this economy, and they’re not set for life, much less their kids. They need to make money like everyone else. So McCarty seems a little off with his take.
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See ya’ll next week!